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In Wolfram von Eschenbach's Percival epic, the Arthurian hero got the name Percival because he was born very shortly after the news of his father's death reached his mother, who felt like the pain caused by sorrow was piercing right through her. Thus the name Percival, "to pierce the valley".

-- Anonymous User 7/6/2005

Percival is the 1st middle name of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series.

I LOVE THIS NAME! Everyone thinks it's really old and not cool, but when shortend to Percy, best name ever! I will so name my kid Percy!

-- Anonymous User 9/13/2006

I don't like either Percival or Percy and wouldn't give either name to a child. Both names are old grandad type names and Percy was more popular than Percival in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Also, the names have two separate origin, but Percival is often shortened to Percy, just like Harry is a pet form of both Harold and Henry, but originally came from the latter.

Well, I like how this name looks on paper, but I can't say it's one of my favorites. I see whoever has this name as being a kind of effeminate guy (not gay, mind you), who will probably get teased a lot during his school years. As for the nickname Percy, I don't know. It makes me think of that one train from "Thomas the Train Engine". Any here remember that show? Good times, good times.

Percy Weasley's FULL first name is listed as Percy, NOT Percival, whereas in the same chapter Dumbledore's middle name is revealed Percival. Percy is often used as a nickname for Percival, but it is ALSO a totally independent English name, derived from the Percy surname.

-- Anonymous User 5/30/2007

In William Golding's Lord of the Flies, a very small little'un is named Percival. He recites his (very long) name and address constantly, but by the end, when the ship comes, all he can remember is his first name, Percival.

This is one of my favourite names. I don't think it sounds weak or stuffy.

Dr. Percival "Perry" Cox is JD's unwilling mentor on the sitcom 'Scrubs'; he's played by John C. McGinley.

-- Anonymous User 12/11/2007

There was a cartoon character from the '30s (I think) called "Percival Prissyfeather," at least by the host (Fred Sayles) of a '50's children's program called "Junior Frolics." (I don't think that was the character's original name, if he had one.) He was a tall, effeminate bird who sang "Listen to the Mockingbird."

When I hear Percival I think:Firstly, the knight of the round table that found the Holy Grail. Sir Percival Blakeny from the Scarlett Pimpernel, Percy for short, Percy Weasly and Albus Percival Dumbledore. The second bearer is my favorite :)Although the knight is cool too. It is an odd name with cool bearers (with the Percy Weasly exception).

This is the name of my favorite Arthurian knight, so of course I love this name! I think it befits a well-mannered gentleman. I would, of course, consider naming a son this. I would not, however, use any nicknames, because that defeats the purpose of this extremely beautiful name.

I thought the name was from the Arabic parsi fal -wise fool -Wagner used Parsifal in his opera about the Holy Grail where the prophecy was that only a wise fool could redeem Montsalvat from its corruption.